Problem Solving and Negotiating
Last year I was fortunate enough to take part in Leicester
University's student abroad scheme with their partner institution out
in Australia, La Trobe university. This demonstrated its own
difficulties, adapting to a new culture thousands of miles away from
the safety net of friends and family forces one to develop skills to
overcome these challenges. However I believe one of the most
beneficial obstacles I faced was in the form of a negotiation
competition. This presented me with a fantastic way to gain valuable
legal experience and help improve skills that could be advantageous
in any work place, principally problem solving, team work, and
analytical skills.
A day before me and my partner were due to appear
in front of the judging panel I was given the scenario information
including the specific party we were being asked to represent. It
involved a negotiation between a restaurant owner, and two rival
businesses. One of which was run by an ex-employee who had previously
signed a non-compete clause and the other who had allegedly stolen
intellectual property. Together with my team mate, I had to go
negotiate with 2 other teams in front of a judging panel in order to
get the best settlement for my client. The task was complicated by a
limited time in which to come to an agreement and the competing
interests of each party. Over the course of the next hour I managed
to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement that allowed one party
to conduct business outside the immediate area and therefore not
break the non-compete clause while agreeing to pay a small fee in
order to compensate the other restaurant for the expenses needed to
modify their brand. My team eventually placed third overall in the
competition and top among the three other teams in our subgroup. I
believe this experience has greatly improved my problem solving
skills. By trying to involve the other parties as much as possible
and encourage the communication of everyone's grievances from the
beginning I fostered an environment whereby everyone was more open to
producing a solution. Furthermore I learn the benefit of trying to
instigate a non-argumentative environment was trying to solve a
disagreement. Such a mentality will only lead to parties creating
immovable stances as a result of the animosity they feel for each
other. I feel that my experiences in dispute resolution will help to
promote problem solving within a team, something that is vital in any
business orientated scenario. In the future I believe that by being
more organised I could help the team adapt better to problems with a
limited time period. Additionally, good organisation can help to
order one's thoughts more effectively and therefore one has a greater
chance to find a solution that benefits all parties rather than a
compromise whereby all parties have to loose out. Since conducting
the negotiation competition over a year ago I have found the skills I
have developed as a result becoming increasingly useful. I have
recently joined a company called HousingAnywhere where I have to try
and sell a housing platform to the university, while I have not had
much success yet I believe my problem solving, and negotiating skills
have come in useful when talking to those authority about the scheme.
